PDB Tested: Cobra VHF Radio

Published online: Feb 13, 2013PDB TestedBrady L. Kay

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There are plenty of handheld VHF radios on the market today, so what makes this new one from Cobra Electronics so special? For starters it's the first radio with the Rewind-Say-Again feature. Translation: It includes a digital voice recorder that automatically records the last 20 seconds of your transmission. (Rewind) It includes a digital voice recorder that automatically records the last 20 seconds of your transmission.

I just had to get my hands on one of these radios after stumbling across the Cobra Marine booth at the Miami Boat Show back in 2007. I'm always asking people to repeat themselves on the radio, especially when I'm in the middle of doing something and I don't hear the first part of the call.

The five-watt lithium polymer-powered handheld can also be used as an All-Terrain Radio that seamlessly goes from VHF to GMRS two-way radio making it the first fully-submersible All-Terrain Radio. I used the radio to not only replay calls that I missed over a loud engine, but also to record messages for myself to play back later.

Other mainstay features include Cobra's patented VibrAlert for silent alerts, DCS and CTCSS codes for privacy and VOX for hands-free transmission.

The MR HH425LI VP is available at most marine and outdoor equipment retailers for around $170. You pay more for advancements in technology and in my opinion you get a lot more in return with this VHF Radio.